Earby Through 60 Years An Outstanding Kelbrook Worthy Mr. Eli Cowgill’s School days (By John Hartley) 22/4/1938 In the last article a brief reference was made to my friend, Eli Cowgill, of Kelbrook. Two days after its publication be passed away suddenly, following a seizure, and being unconscious he was unable to read it. He had actually anticipated it, for a few days previously he remarked to his wife, "I think Johnnie will put something in' t' Craven Herald about him and me being at t' Sough together." For many years he had been one of the outstanding characters in his native village, especially of those who had been associated with the Smallpage era. He had a lively recollection of those days, and delighted to recount interesting incidents of his earlier years. He received his education spasmodically, part of it at a private elementary school at the old Baptist Chapel at Earby, the school being run by Joseph Heaton, whose father had been the Baptist minister for a few years. The "master" was rather slack in enforcing discipline, and also in his own personal habits. On a hot summer afternoon he would sometimes send one of the boys with a can to the White Lion Inn for a pint of beer to slake his thirst; and one pint was not always sufficient. When he was overcome with the indulgence he would send the scholars home for the rest of the day. "Joss" Heaton could not be said to have inspired much reverence by his personal influence upon his pupils. "Eli" (as he was familiarly called), went for another spell to the National School at Salterforth, and later (when it was opened) to the National School at Kelbrook, of which Mr. Joseph Bentley was the master. He was the brother of Mr. John Bentley, of the Earby Grammar School. With the schoolmaster who followed, Mr. Bulcock, Eli became very friendly, and was much indebted to him. He also maintained friendly relations with succeeding masters, Mr. J. W. Brown, Mr. Horbury and Mr. Clegg, and was held in high regard by them. But music was the chief hobby and delight of Eli's life and good music, well performed, held his soul in glorious rapture. He was himself no mean exponent of the musical art, and he was a keen and accomplished musician. The first time I saw him was at a public singing competition at the Victoria Institute, Earby, more than 50 years ago. The title of his song was "Come into the garden, Maud," and he gave a good account of himself in competing against many noted singers from East Lancashire towns. Kelbrook Band In his early manhood he was one of the leading members in the Kelbrook Brass Band, being one of the cornet players. The Kelbrook Band flourished for some years and they appeared at a memorable contest held at Salterforth on May 9th, 1868. The other bands were Earby, Barnoldswick Model and Barnoldswick Ribblesdale. Earby carried off the first prize, but Kelbrook's conductor, John Wilkinson, won the prize offered for the best cornet soloist. Although he had been brought up at the United Methodist Chapel, and had been in the choir from early boyhood as an alto and tenor singer, he went to the village church when they were without an organist and helped them through a difficult period. In his later years, after his return to Kelbrook, he frequently officiated as organist at the chapel services. When he retired from business at Colne as a coloured goods manufacturer at the Viaduct Shed, he went for a prolonged holiday to Canada and the United States, with Brantford as his headquarters. On the termination of his holiday he married Miss Maretta Crabtree, a member of an old Kelbrook family, who had lived at Nelson for many years. Her father had been one of the leading figures at the Salem Independent Methodist Chapel, and one of the compilers of the Connexional Hymn and Tune Book. Her association with the Bethel Chapel at Kelbrook had been most happy and serviceable, and for several years she was the teacher of the Young Ladies Bible Class. Mr. and Mrs. Cowgill went to live at Morecambe for about five years, where they were associated with the Sandilands Methodist Church. Towards the end of the War years they returned to Yellow Hall, Kelbrook, and more recently they had resided in Colne Road. Some years ago, Mr. Cowgill acquired considerable cottage property in Earby, but apart from the management of his property, he had no business ties, and he had enjoyed a very happy retirement. He was a nice, kindly disposed, dapper little gentleman, and up to a few weeks ago he could be seen almost every day taking his constitutional stroll on the Colne Road to Hague Houses and back. Without a doubt "Eli" was one of the most worthy characters Kelbrook has produced, and his passing is very much regretted in the village. A Sheep Story By the way, I have been reminded that Tom Proctor, with his family, went to live at Cockit Farm, next to Blear-side, but a little nearer Kelbrook, abutting on the Earby to Lothersdale highway. There is a good story told of Jack Proctor and a speculation he had with some sheep. He bought about a dozen, and he kept them upon his father's land. As the first winter drew to its close the sheep began to droop and fade away, although the cause could not be ascertained. When Jack returned home at night from his work as a weaver down in Earby there was often a tale of woe for him. To avoid the repetition of the melancholy tale, his brother, "Jim Sam," hit upon a novel expedient. He possessed a melodeon, and one night, after another sheep had succumbed to the dread disease, he posted himself with his instrument on the top of the wall by the roadside, and when his brother appeared round the bend of the road he greeted him with the strains of the "Dead March in Saul." "Jim Sam" is now one of the best-known farmers in Earby and, with his son, Stanley, occupies "Wadd Fowd" (Waddington Fold), one of the finest Elizabethan farmhouses in the neighbourhood. The Village Institute Near by is the Liberal Club, erected on the site of the old village institute, which was designated the Victoria Institute, but popularly called "T' Stution." It was mainly due to the efforts of Mrs. C. Bracewell that the Institute was erected, to provide a place of recreation for young men, free from the temptations of intoxicating liquors. It is about 60 years since the Institute was opened by Sir Henry Mitchell, of Bradford. It was a rare rallying ground for the villagers for all kinds of social events, and the large assembly room was the most popular rendezvous that Earby has ever known. The room seated three to four hundred people, according to circumstances, and the entry was by means of a staircase (none too wide) from the central hall below. Popular lectures and concerts were promoted by the Institute committee, and the annual concert was usually a noted event. On these occasions famous singers from East Lancashire and the West Riding often appeared, and the advent of a popular "comic" like G. W. Nicholson, of Leeds, was hailed with delight. Friends of the Bracewell family often assisted, and a lady artiste who once appeared in Scottish costume to sing Scottish ballads created quite a sensation. For many years Mr. Peter Pickup, of Burnley, was a very popular accompanist for these concerts. While welcoming artistic visitors from neighbouring towns, ample encouragement was afforded local talent, and many a promising young musician got a good start in their career by the opportunities thus afforded. The village Temperance Society and Band of Hope provided various kinds of entertainment fare, especially for younger folks, and "magic lantern" shows, featuring "Christie's Old Organ" and "Buy your own cherries," were immensely popular. The children's annual treats were all too rare occasions of merriment for the village youngsters, and the social gatherings which followed were gladly availed of by those who loved to have their fling in the waltz, the schottische and the polka, in addition to well- organised games. Legerdemaine One of the main attractions of the Institute, however, was the facilities which were offered to travelling troupes of variety artistes, conjurors, phrenologists, mesmerists, and all types of musicians. For a few coppers the lads of the village could have a rare night out, and when they were elated with any performance their enthusiasm knew no bounds. They had a great time if any of the more forward youths could be drawn on to the platform to be "operated" upon by the mesmerists, or have their "bumps'' felt. One of the last parties who appeared in the Institute was Barney Parsons with his entertaining family of Lancashire lasses from Burnley. The following summer he took them to Morecombe, and his entertainments on the sands and in the field at the Bare end of the promenade were the initiation of the Happy Mount Pleasure Park. When the "at home" mode of social enjoyment and entertainment became popular the Institute committee led the way in the promotion of these events, and for several years they were the outstanding social gatherings of the winter season. About 1895 the Institute was taken over by a Buildings Company, and the premises were enlarged and a better entrance to the assembly room provided by t he inclusion of an adjoining dwelling-house, improved facilities for games wen also provided, and the conversation room became a noted forum for the discussion of current topics.